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The
Origins of Egyptian Symbolism

Most Common Egyptian
Symbols and Their Meanings

Egyptian symbolism has its origins in their most ancient creation
mythologies. There may be quite a few creation myths, as diverse
as the many different parts of the country from where they came,
but what they have in common is the belief that in the beginning,
there was nothing but the chaos of violently flowing, bubbling
water called Nu. This in itself is a symbolism for the great river
Nile. Out of this great river, everything came to be.

When the sun first rose on land after the raging waters receded,
the many symbols and deities associated with it were born. As the
creation myths continued to unfold, many more Egyptian gods and
goddesses and the symbols that represent them in the physical
world also developed. Some of the earliest and most popular
ancient Egyptian symbols are described below.

Ibis Bird

The ibis is a long-legged wading bird with a long, down-curving
bill that the ancient Egyptians regarded as particularly sacred
and associated it with the god Thoth. Thoth was the god of wisdom
and learning. He is often depicted with the body of a man and the
head of an ibis. The curved beak of the ibis, in particular,
represents the crescent moon which is another attribute of Thoth.

As a wading bird, the ibis travels through land and water both,
and probes deep into the earth below to get real nourishment from
the larvae of locusts and crustaceans. The ibis also writes on
surfaces. Thoth personifies these traits, getting deep
intellectual nourishment from spreading knowledge, writing, and
language.

Eye of Horus

In ancient Egyptian symbolism, the Eye of Horus signifies royal
power, protection, and good health. It is also sometimes referred
to as the Eye of Ra. In Egyptian mythology, it is said that after
the god Osiris was killed by his own brother Set, god of the
desert, storms, darkness and chaos, Osiris' son, the sky god Horus
fought with Set to avenge his father's death and to take control
of the throne. Horus lost his left eye in this fight. The
gouged-out eye was recovered and restored, and Horus offered it to
his father Osiris, hoping his sacrifice will completely restore
Osiris' life. The Eye of Horus from then on became a symbol of
sacrifice, restoration, healing, and protection.

Scarab (Winged Scarab)

The scarab beetle is a common symbol of protection, resurrection,
and transformation in many cultures, but most significantly in
ancient Egypt where images of the winged scarab abound. Early
Egyptians believed in universal truths or spiritual and divine
realities that are represented by everyday occurrences in the
physical world. They drew parallels between the short life of the
scarab beetle, emerging from animal dung and spending their short
adult lives rolling feces to feed their young until they finally
become ready to spread their wings and fly. This seemingly
insignificant natural occurrence reveals a beautiful message of
hope for humans especially those living hard physical lives. Death
for the Egyptians is a welcome transition from the physical into
another realm of existence. The scarab symbol is often placed in
the tomb of the departed, to guide them in the afterlife.

Feather of Ma'at

The feather of Ma'at also called the feather of truth is a single
ostrich feather that the goddess Ma'at wears on her hair. She was
the ancient Egyptian goddess of truth, morality, order, and
justice. As an ideology governing the norm for nature and society,
Ma'at has been recorded as early as the Old Kingdom, according to
the earliest surviving pyramid texts of Unas around 2375 BCE.
Ma'at the goddess has the daunting role of making sure the world
does not return to chaos, and her primary task was to weigh the
heart of the departed against her ostrich feather. If the heart
which is the vessel of the departed's soul is heavier than the
feather of Ma'at, the heart is devoured by the lioness goddess
Ammit and the soul it contains is condemned to stay in the
underworld. Pharaohs are often portrayed with the emblem of Ma'at
symbolizing their role as guardians of the laws.

Egyptian Hieroglyph

Egyptian Hieroglyphs form the earliest and longest-existing
Egyptian pictorial script. The ancients called them "words of the
gods." King Ramesses himself was depicted assisting the god Thoth
as he prepares to write. The very first hieroglyphs date back to
3100 BCE and are found on pottery. Hieroglyphs were originally
used to write different texts on any surface, but they eventually
became reserved only for religious writings and monument markings
carved on stone. Ancient Egyptian priests had the exclusive right
to learn and write the Hieroglyphs.

There are over 700 symbols in the entire system, and it has proven
to be the single most important medium of understanding the
mysteries, the accomplishments, the discoveries and the history of
ancient Egypt.

Ancient Egyptian symbolism holds a fascination not just for
archeological scholars but for many ordinary individuals all
across the globe; individuals eager to learn about symbols that
for them have the potential to influence their lives in a positive
way.

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About the Author

David Weitzman

The jewelry artist David Weitzman combines ancient and sacred knowledge into a unique line of jewelry designed to bring people both beauty and inspiration. David's artwork harnesses the power of spiritual symbols and sacred geometry from around the world to bring those wearing this sacred jewelry happiness, vitality, excitement, and love.

The Designer - David Weitzman

David Weitzman is the force behind Ka Gold Jewelry. David has dedicated himself for many years to the search for sacred knowledge. He has vast knowledge in the fields of Kabbalah, sacred geometry, Egyptian wisdom, Jewish tradition, Tibetan Buddhism and other sacred concepts.